Augusta, GA – David Lynn posted a 4-under 68 Thursday to grab the early lead at the 77th Masters.
Lynn, who hails from England, is making his first appearance at Augusta National. He walked off with a 1-stroke lead, but has been caught atop the leaderboard by Australian Marc Leishman.
Former U.S. Open champion Jim Furyk is one of four players tied for third place at minus-3. Furyk was joined there by Justin Rose, K.J. Choi and Lee Westwood, who overcame a double-bogey on the opening hole. All four players are still on the course.
Kevin Na and former PGA Champion David Toms posted 2-under 70s. They stand alongside Tim Clark, Brandt Snedeker, Rickie Fowler, Ben Curtis and four-time winner Tiger Woods, who is through 10 holes.
Lynn got into the field thanks to his runner-up finish at last year's PGA Championship. He opened the Masters with a birdie on the first. Lynn collected back-to-back birdies at eight and nine to make the turn at minus-3.
The 39-year-old Englishman stumbled to a bogey on the 10th, but came right back with birdies at 11 and 12. Lynn moved to 5-under with a birdie on the par-5 15th.
Lynn was two clear of the field at that point, but faltered to a bogey on the 17th to slip to minus-4. He parred the last to end there.
He hopes to join a short, but impressive list. Only three players -- Fuzzy Zoeller (1979), Gene Sarazen (1935) and Horton Smith (1934) -- have won the Masters in their first appearance.
Ryan Moore and John Peterson posted 1-under 71s, while Russell Henley and Brian Gay both carded 72s.
Defending champion Bubba Watson is 2-over through 11 holes. He has three bogeys and a birdie so far in his round.